Loading ...

Consider the many challenges of medical school: The volume of knowledge you’re expected to master, the fast pace, the competition, long hours in clinical training, the pressure to succeed, the financial burden…Any one of those issues could be enough to max out a person’s stress levels.

But you get to face all of them, to some degree, for 4 years. Congratulations.

It’s no joke to acknowledge that “the struggle is real” in medical school and that everyone could use some help along the way. Fortunately, most schools have people and programs in place to assist with academics, mental health, time management, career advice, and more. You just have to know where to look.

For this article, leaders from a variety of medical schools share their insights into the resources available to students and how you can start to find the help you need to not just survive, but thrive, during these challenging 4 years.

Acknowledge the Struggle

You may have been a superstar student throughout high school and college, never sweating an exam, assignment, or problem put in front of you. But medical school is different. So rather than question whether you belong there or wonder why things suddenly got tougher, just accept the realities of this unique — and temporary — chapter of your life.

“First off, medical school is hard,” said Lauren Linkowski, EdD, director of Programs and Resources for Academic Excellence at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. “If this is the first time something has been tough for you, that is okay. This experience is high volume and high complexity and will be hard for anyone. You may need to develop and practice new learning or coping strategies that you never needed before.”

She added that if school was difficult before becoming a medical student, you may find it helpful to remind yourself that you’ve encountered academic stresses and struggles before.

“You likely have a toolbox of strategies to overcome it,” Linkowski said, noting that regardless of your previous academic experience, reaching out for help early on is the right approach. “You are not the first medical student to face these issues.”

Explore Your School’s Academic Support Services

Linkowski said most medical schools have faculty members and departments solely focused on student academic progress and support. They are typically housed in the offices of Student Affairs, Curricular Affairs, Academic Success, or similar locations.

Even if you don’t need help every semester, there may come a time when you could use an assist. It’s good to become familiar with these programs as soon as you can so you’ll know where to go when you need them.

“Honestly, most students struggle at one point or another,” said Shelley Wells Collins, MD, senior associate dean for Educational Affairs at the University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida. “They can feel comfortable in the knowledge that they were selected, which means they have the requisite intelligence and work ethic to be successful. Sometimes they just need additional support like a tutor or a counselor.”

Schools usually provide one-on-one academic counseling, including peer-to-peer tutoring or even whole-class programs on learning issues.

“Medical students should ask an advisor they trust whether resources like these are available to them,” Linkowski said. Students can also reach out to their faculty, who often provide teaching assistants, tutoring, or office hours to help with their courses. Finally, students should ask their campus library what resources they have. Often campus libraries subscribe to board resources or high-quality journals or provide training in certain software or writing or editing services, Linkowski said.

Prioritize Wellness

While some of the stressors of medical school are beyond your control, maintaining your physical and mental well-being is in your hands.

A good diet, plenty of exercise, and enough sleep can help you maintain your physical health and support better stress management and mental health. But if you need further assistance, see what’s available at your school.

“Most medical schools have wellness resources that can help students experiencing mental health concerns, stress, or self-doubt,” Linkowski said. Often, this assistance is provided through an on-campus health center or counseling center, or the school has a relationship with an outside provider.

Ellen Pearlman, MD, senior associate dean for Education at the Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine at Quinnipiac University in North Haven, Connecticut, pointed to a 2022 study in Nature that suggests there are ways to help young people use their stress response to actually fuel better academic success and well-being.

“More and more evidence is accumulating that short interventions to build a growth mindset and to promote the concept that stress can be enhancing can significantly reduce anxiety and improve coping and performance,” she said. “Most schools will help you undergo neuropsych testing and be able to help you find executive coaching or mental health services as needed.”

Pearlman said there are also several YouTube videos on synergistic mindsets, growth mindsets, and stress-enhancing mindsets by David Yeager, Carol Dweck, and Huberman Lab.

“I would highly recommend reading or watching and implementing these suggested practices,” she said.

If you are a student who is underrepresented in medicine, first-generation, low income, or you identify as part of any marginalized group, you may find on-campus resources that provide support for a wide range of concerns, Pearlman said.

“Many of these offices will offer special programming, safe spaces, mentor matching, and affinity groups/student clubs,” she added.

The Association of American Medical Colleges also maintains a resource for first-generation students and others in need of support or guidance through school and at the start of their professional training.

Go Online…but Avoid the Rabbit Holes

The internet can be a phenomenal source of information, an endless stream of entertaining cat videos, and plenty more. And while you need to be careful not to let yourself get lost in medical school–related forums on Reddit and elsewhere, Linkowski said there may be some value in checking in with some anonymous and not-so-anonymous fellow students online for some reality checks and reassurance.

“Medical educators tend to talk down about online forums, like Reddit, and for sure there are toxic threads or users,” Linkowski said. “However, forums are also a good place to get aggregate advice, share experiences, or just know you are not alone. Similarly, sites like YouTube often have surprisingly good videos on everything from how to use Anki, to how to do the first day of a surgery clerkship, and tips for studying with practice questions.”

Just remember to focus on the positive and helpful info, rather than the doom-and-gloom posts that cast dark clouds all over the internet.

The World Is Your Oyster and Your Campus

It’s easy to turn inward when you’re in school, limiting your focus and movement to your classrooms, labs, apartment, and nearest spot for a slice of pizza.

But you may find it helpful to turn your gaze outward and explore a little.

“Students should also think about their hospital, town, or city as an extension of their campus,” Linkowski said. “For example, students with particular religious affiliations often find fellowship at a local place of worship. You may benefit by joining recreation opportunities in your municipality or volunteer off campus. Even the local library can be a place to study, hang out, and get free or low-cost entertainment like museum passes, streaming media, etc.”

Remember: You Got This

Your journey through medical school is bound to have its ups and downs. The key is to not let those downs keep you down.

“Medical school is a relationship between you and your education,” Linkowski said. “Like any relationship, there are times when it feels good and does not take much work, and times when it feels difficult or is lots of work. Those feelings and struggles are normal. They do not mean you do not belong in medical school or will not succeed. They are only opportunities to reflect on your ‘why’ for medicine, whether you are taking good care of yourself, and how you can learn more effectively.”